Birds and a Buck Moon

I'm glad I have a zoom lens. The birds in my yard would never let me get this close! I photographed the mourning doves from inside a window. 

I went outside to get pictures of the moon, though. I leaned the lens against a post to keep it from shaking when I pressed the shutter, and none too soon! There were clouds just above the moon and a few moments later, it disappeared behind them.

I read that the full moon of July was called the "buck moon" by Native Americans because at this time the antlers of a buck (male deer) reach their full size. 

This is not a "real" owl. It was a stuffed model we saw at a fundraising event for the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.

The last two photos show one of our local mallard families. We've seen a population explosion of ducks this year, with at least two broods on the community lake; maybe three. One day last week I had to slam on the brakes because some of the babies had marched out on the road ahead of mama and they were so small, I first mistook them for leaves. I guess everyone has been watching for them because they are surviving.